A double American citizen is one of the 3 Israeli hostages exchanged for Palestinian prisoners: NPR

Like Aviv, Israel – a double American citizen is one of the three Israeli hostages published by Hamas on Saturday, after more than 15 months in captivity in Gaza.

The press release includes the United States and the Double Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, 65, Yarden Bibas, 35 and Opers Kalderon, 54. Kalderon also holds French citizenship. The three men were given on Saturday morning to representatives of the International Red Cross Committee in Gaza, who transferred them to the Israeli troops for the tradition on the other side of the border in Israel. Bibas and Kalderon were given to Khan Younis, southern Gaza; Seigel in Gaza City in the north of the enclave.

In exchange, 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were released from Israeli prisons, including perpetuity sentences. Among those who will be released are Mohammad El Halabi, the former manager of operations for the charitable group World Vision in Gaza, who was condemned by Israel in 2022 of the fund of funds to Hamas. Halabi pleaded not guilty and the world vision firmly denied his involvement. Shadi Amouri, who purges a perpetuity imprisonment for a bombardment that killed 17 Israelis in 2002. Amouri should be expelled to a neighboring country.

The exchange is part of a multiphase agreement between Israel and Hamas, negotiated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, which began on January 19, with a six-week ceasefire. Meanwhile, a total of 33 of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza – some of which have died – are supposed to be returned to Israel in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and prisoners.

The agreement has taken place for almost two weeks, allowing the help of flowing into the enclave. On Saturday, a key border crossing in Rafah opened its doors since Israel took control of the crossing in May, allowing 50 Palestinians to cross Egypt for medical treatment. The two parties are expected to start the next phase of negotiations that may see the prolonged ceasefire and the remaining hostages released.

In total, 18 hostages have been released since the ceasefire entered into force-including 13 Israelis and five Thai nationals. More than 500 Palestinians will have been released after today’s exchange.

Siegel is the first American to be released as part of this agreement. According to Israel, six other American citizens are held hostage in Gaza, two of which are still alive. Siegel’s wife Aviva was also taken hostage and was released as part of a previous cease-fire agreement in November 2023.

“I think I’m going to shout and jump on him. I can’t wait,” Aviva Siegel told NPR last April how she would react to the release of her husband.

Bibas was taken hostage with his wife and two grandchildren. Throughout the war, the Bibas family has become a symbol of the fate of hostages in Israel. Yarden Bibas appeared in two Gaza videos before, but the fate of his family members in captivity remains unknown.

Kalderon’s family did not know if he would have returned to Israel living or dead until the day before his release. “I hope it is enough to hug him … to tell him that we love him and that we are here,” his sister-in-law, Sharon Kalderon, told NPR earlier.

There are 79 hostages in Gaza, many of which are considered to be deceased, according to Israel.

Yanal Jabarin and Itay Stern contributed the reports of Tel Aviv and Ahmed Abuhamda from Cairo.